Lincolnshire-Prairie View Students learn about Ellis Island

Ellis Island still runs deep into the United States more than 50 years after its closure, because it's estimated at least half the country can link its family history to one person who passed through there.

In an effort to keep the Ellis Island experience alive for today's children, Lincolnshire-Prairie View Elementary District 103 recently held a "Coming to America" simulation for third-graders at Half Day School.

Students at Lincolnshire's Half Day finished an integrated study unit on community and government when the event was held. The children learned the steps in becoming a legal U.S. citizen and gained awareness of America's diversity during the study.

Third-grader Bronwyn Heidkamp was among those who participated in "Coming to America." Her role was to waits in line at the currency exchange table as she passed through Ellis Island.

District 103 officials said they wanted the Half Day students to learn what it was like for immigrants entering the United States in the early 1900s and their experiences at Ellis Island.

Members of the District 103 PTO volunteer council staffed the event and helped the students through the "Coming to America" simulation. In addition to the currency exchange, the simulation had a transportation station and health review area.

A mock citizenship ceremony was held for the students after they went through Ellis Island.

Ellis Island's first official immigration station opened in 1892, with estimates showing at least of the United States can trace its family history to one person who went through there. The federal government shut the island and declared it surplus property in 1954.